United Way grants approved

By Sean Feagan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A decision has been made on this year’s allocation of United Way funding to Strathmore-area support organizations.

Strathmore town council voted to approve this year’s United Way Strathmore and Areas Partnership grants on May 6, after the United Way Strathmore and Area Committee processed, reviewed and approved the applications.

Sixteen organizations are being funded by 2020 United Way Strathmore and Areas Partnership grants, for a total of $43,190 in funding. Total funding was lower than last year, when the funding was $45,500, but this change reflects adjustments made in response to COVID-19, rather than program cuts, said Strathmore town councillor Lorraine Bauer.

“You may have seen the numbers go down a little bit, but I think that’s representative of the times we are in,” said Bauer. “Because of COVID, we got the applications differently and we know that a lot of these programs won’t be able to start until September or October. It’s not that the funding has been cut.”

Despite this change, nine of 12 organizations that received a grant last year and were funded again this year received a funding increase.

Four organizations not funded through the program last year received a grant: Hope Community Convenant Church ($2,000) for School Fuel, an elementary school breakfast program; Meals on Wheels ($1,000); the Postpartum Support Group ($3,100), which aims to help mothers dealing with post-natal depression or anxiety; and, Wheatland Housing ($3,500) for an outdoor gathering space.

The full list and description of the 16 programs or organizations can be found in the May 6 Town of Strathmore council agenda available online at Strathmore.ca. Seventeen applications were received, but one applicant withdrew due to the pandemic.

The funding must be spent by each organization by the end of year.

While COVID-19 might change how some things are done, the groups getting grants are still helping residents, said Bauer.

“Even though these programs are going to change, and they will have to adapt, they are still going to meet the needs of the vulnerable people within our community that need our services.”

Many of the programs aim to promote mental health, such as Bridging the Gap, an effort to reduce social isolation in seniors.

Such programs will help people as the province relaunches, added Bauer. “There’s going to be so much benefit, especially coming out of COVID, that when people finally do get to go out into communities, they are going to help a lot of vulnerable people.

“When I say vulnerable people, I’m really talking about anyone coming out of COVID – we’re all dealing with mental and physical challenges.”